March 18, 2009
Re: Bond money for improving teaching and learning through integrating technology
Dear Staff,
It was great to see your interest in the Mimio technology presentation. A big Thank You to Brian White for organizing the presentation!
As you know, the school is in line to receive bond money from the recent election. Since you will be using the technology, your opinion counts! Over Spring Break, please think about how you’d like to see Knight Academy enter the 21st century.
Here’s the deal with the bond money:
1.) The funds (approximately $55,000) are to be disbursed over 3 years. We would have approximately $17,500 per year.
2.) The proposal must be submitted for approval by both our Principal and DoTS.
a. Any proposed expenduture must support and conform to the objectives of the Tech Plan.
b. Tech Plan (not yet complete) is an integral part of the School Improvement Plan
c. Is only good for hardware, generally only items over $500
d. Must be written by a tech committee
Here are some approximate prices for hardware: (email brian_white@dpsk12.org with questions)
· Laptop Lab (Includes 30 Dell Mini 10 Netbooks: $10,500; secure storage cabinet with wiring to recharge: $1,000; 1 laser printer wireless enabled: $700). (total $12,200) With a 3 year Dell lease, $5375 in year one (includes cabinet and printer) and $3675 per year in years 2 and three.
· 1 Teaching/presentation station. (Includes cart: $500; 1 teacher laptop computer: $1,000; 1 data projector: $650; 1 document camera: $500; 1 Mimio interactive whiteboard system: $750) = $3,400 (more or less)
· Dell GX755 desktop computers = $700 each, or $245 per year on 3-year lease.
· Promethean ActiveBoard w/ Data Projector = $3,500.00
· Teacher laptop computer (Dell Latitude E6500) = $1,000.00
· N-computing is a system that allows six student terminals to run from one computer. An entirely new lab for thirty students could be outfitted for the price of 6 computers (6 x 700) plus six n-computing gizmos (6 x 350) plus 24 additional monitors, keyboards, and mice (24 x 150)=about $9900, (or with Dell lease, $7170 the first year, plus about $1470 each in years 2 and 3.)
Don’t forget, Hallett Building is two stories, with no elevator. There is a lab on the same floor (2nd) as the media center. We can bring all our present working technology equiment with us when we move. A minimum of six of the lab computers must be replaced. We presently have 30 computers in the lab, plus whatever you are using in your classrooms.
Computers purchased from Dell (DPS’s only approved PC vendor) can be obtained on a 3-year lease. We would own them after the third annual payment.
So, what are some scenarios you’d like to consider?
Please email your ideas to Jamie or Brian no later than Monday, April 6. Everyone’s ideas count. Jamie and Brian will assemble your ideas and some of our own for consideration in the faculty meeting on Wednesday, April 8.